Crossrail (3)

Gareth Bacon MP: The February 2020 Jacobs report on Crossrail (document number B2111500/133/1.3) states on page 3 that, “Two significant interventions are necessary to achieve the Trial Running date: the implementation of an integrated approach to the remaining works to be delivered, and the creation of an Integrated Delivery Team to close-out the outstanding works.” What is the progress on this?

The Mayor: Crossrail Ltd is working to ensure that the programme is ready to commence intensive operational testing, known as Trial Running, at the earliest opportunity.
To commence Trial Running, Crossrail needs to complete the remaining key steps:
• All central section stations certified as ready to support Trial Running.
• Complete handover of the shafts and portals to Transport for London (TfL).
• Complete Dynamic Testing of the signaling and train systems.
• Handover the completed routeway to TfL.
• Complete the safety and assurance process for the Elizabeth line and obtain regulatory approval from the Office of Rail and Road to commence Trial Running.
To support productivity on physical works and submission of assurance evidence, Crossrail Ltd established multidisciplinary Integrated Delivery Teams earlier on this year to focus on Trial Running.
Handover of the completed shafts and portals to TfL is underway with only four remaining. The testing of the signalling and train systems, known as Dynamic Testing, is progressing well after resuming on 30 May. All central section stations, with the exception of Bond Street, are certified as ready to support Trial Running. Crossrail Ltd expects that Bond Street will be certified for Trial Running in the coming months.

Burglary

Susan Hall: Will you set targets for the Metropolitan Police on reducing burglary?

The Mayor: I want London to be a safer city for all, but will not set any fixed, numerical, crime reduction targets for the MPS. This allows the MPS to focus on doing the right thing for the public, rather than focusing on whether or not they will achieve an arbitrary numerical target set by politicians in City Hall.
MOPAC has developed a performance framework that enables the Mayoralty to fulfil its role (making sure that people’s priorities are being dealt with effectively by the MPS and local partner agencies) while also giving local police the flexibility they need to do theirs – responding to and resolving what really matters to the people in their community. Equally, we want to ensure that the most harmful – but often less visible – crimes, such as sexual violence and child sexual exploitation, are treated as priorities across the city.
MOPAC has consulted with every Borough and developed a system of agreeing local priorities, in partnership with local police leaders and the elected local Council.
Burglary in London is down 29.9% compared to the same time last year (w.e. 14 June 2020). The MPS continue to focus efforts on crime prevention in this area.

New Year’s Eve fireworks

Caroline Pidgeon: When will you make a decision as to whether the GLA should allocate any resources to the organising of New Year’s Eve fireworks this year?

The Mayor: In line with following the government guidelines, we are currently looking at what considerations need to be made with regards marking New Year in London and working through the available options. We will be looking to make a decision later in the Summer.

Londoners losing faith in the police

Siân Berry: I have had a number of constituents contact me recently to give me their reports of witnessing alleged discriminatory police practices, in particular highlighting incidents in Lewisham and Lambeth. These have ranged from a young student being unfairly stopped and searched, to witnessing a distressing incident of a woman restrained by several officers. What is your message to Londoners who are losing their faith in the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) after witnessing disproportionate and aggressive policing tactics?

The Mayor: Policing everywhere is rightly under increased scrutiny at this time. We cannot afford to be complacent about the devasting impact that intrusive policing tactics have here in the UK, and London. I know there have been longstanding concerns about use of Tasers, Stop & Search, and strip-searching.
I take any allegation of the excessive use of police powers extremely seriously and fully recognise the hurt it can cause, particularly to Black Londoners. The Met Police has a long history of policing by consent and working with our communities – and they understand that has to be continually earned and that there is work to do.
This is why I have commissioned my Deputy Mayors for both Policing and Crime, and Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community Engagement to create an Action Plan for Policing our diverse communities in London. This Plan is underway, and is informed by our discussions with communities, and focuses on ways of improving trust, transparency and accountability.

Tube Line Redeployment

Keith Prince: Breaking down the information by role, how many Tube staff have been redeployed from one line to another since 1st March?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) did not redeploy any Tube staff from one line to another since 1 March. Any cross transfer between lines requires a minimum of eight weeks’ training, which has been suspended in compliance with social distancing measures.

TfL’s Internal Communications concerning Coronovirus/COVID-19 sent in January and February 2020

Keith Prince: Further to your response to Question 2020/1512, please provide me with copies of all internal communications mentioning Coronavirus or Covid-19 sent during Jan and Feb 2020.

The Mayor: Between January and February 2020, 21 ‘formal’ internal communications referencing coronavirus or COVID-19 were sent to colleagues across Transport for London. These messages were sent through a variety of internal channels including: internal news stories, digital signage and email bulletins. Please note that there would have been local, operational internal communications that are not captured by these formal channels.
A detailed list of these communications, including their content, can be found in the attachment below. Please note that these communications have only been sent to internal audiences, therefore the links to internal channels are restricted and will not work externally.